Wilmette Historical Museum celebrates Presidents' Day

From left to right, Jacob Matten, 11, of Wilmette, actor Terry Lynch, dressed as President George Washington, and Josephine Volk, 8, of Wilmette converse at the Wilmette Historical Museum's Family Presidents' Day Program on Feb. 19. (Gina Grillo / Pioneer Press)

Typical Presidents' Day rituals may include shopping at a mattress sale, enjoying a slice of cherry pie, or relaxing on a free day from work or school. But the Wilmette Historical Museum fashioned a celebratory walk back in time offering area families a chance to meet and converse with George Washington as part of its Family Presidents' Day Program on Feb. 19.

Actor Terry Lynch portrayed George Washington in what was part civics lesson, part theatrical entertainment.

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"We believe that teaching children how to walk in someone else's shoes, to imagine what someone else's life was like, is a good quality to develop," museum director Kathy Hussey-Arntson said. "We also hope that children and families come to know that history can be fun, not just a set of dry facts."

During Lynch's hour-long presentation, he offered a firsthand account of how Washington went from gentleman farmer and land surveyor in Virginia to becoming the country's first president.

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According to Lynch, even though the story of the "cherry tree" was a myth, the Washingtons of Virginia were known as honest people.

"As a president, Washington's most esteemed contribution was that he greatly valued honesty and never took advantage of his power," Lynch said. "He wanted what was best for the country, which is why he gave back power to Congress."

Event organizers said that while the museum typically focuses on Wilmette and local history, there are occasions, like Presidents' Day, when the Museum has a tradition of hosting a family program to tell a broader story.

"This is a day to celebrate what all the presidents did to help the USA, how President Lincoln freed the slaves and how George Washington helped win the Revolutionary War," Josephine Volk, 8, of Wilmette said.

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Beth Karnes of Wilmette brought her three children to the program to learn more about U.S. presidents.

"It is important to expose children to every opportunity to learn about our country," Karnes said.